Jazz Articles about John Santos

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The John Santos Quintet: Papa Mambo

by Chip Boaz
September 12, 2007

In the musician's world, the end of one project signals the start of a new journey towards a unique musical destination. When percussionist John Santos and the Machete Ensemble bid the world farewell in 2006, it marked the end of an era in Bay Area Latin jazz. After more than twenty years with the large ensemble, Santos embarked in a new direction, forming a quintet. The group's first album, Papa Mambo, narrates the trip into the future, presenting a mature ...

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John Santos & The Machete Ensemble: 20th Anniversary

by Forrest Dylan Bryant
August 28, 2005

John Santos & The Machete Ensemble 20th Anniversary Machete Records 2005

When percussionist John Santos founded the Machete Ensemble in 1985--back then it was called the Afro-Cuban Jazz Ensemble--he probably had no idea that he was creating an institution. With a difficult mission of blending jazz, folkloric, and dance idioms through an almost entirely original repertoire, and little record label support to help it find an audience, the group was lucky just to survive, ...

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John Santos Finds His Groove

by Forrest Dylan Bryant
May 13, 2003

John Santos is riding high these days. His most recent album, S.F. Bay , was nominated for a Grammy Award as Latin Jazz Album of the Year. He has received increasing notice from critics, and is a recognized leader not only in the Bay Area's Latin scene, but in jazz as a whole. This spring, Santos is leading a series of talks and concerts at La Pe'a Cultural Center in Berkeley, focusing on the issues and experiences of local musicians. ...

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John Santos & Machete: Tribute To The Masters

by Jim Santella
March 1, 2000

Percussionist John Santos combines traditional Afro-Cuban elements with modern jazz. Formed in 1986, his Machete Ensemble is so-named because of the connotation that tool has woven into Caribbean culture. The machete was used throughout history for harvesting sugar cane, and in certain circumstances also as a weapon during violent confrontations. Representing both sides of the ocean, Afro-Cuban music draws from the collective experience of separate cultures by emphasizing their common factors. Santos’ tribute honors the masters of Afro-Cuban music as ...